Marlboro High School valedictorian calls on fellow graduates to look beyond their gadgets

By ARIEL ZANGLA

Friday, June 21, 2013

MARLBORO, N.Y. -- Marlboro High School Valedictorian Georgia Houghton reminded her fellow graduates that there is life beyond the screen of their electronic gadgets.

"We are the first class whose schooling has been entirely in the 21st century," Houghton said during Friday's graduation ceremony. "We've grown up with cell phones, tablets, iPods, TV, Angry Birds. There's an app for everything. ...We can't imagine living without the technology we have. But there's life beyond the screen. We can embrace the advancement we've made, but we can't forget the humans behind the technology. We need to look up every once in a while and make human connections. Maybe you'll stop dreaming about Candy Crush."

Friday's ceremony honored the 187 graduates of Marlboro High School's Class of 2013. Co-Salutatorians Nicole DeSantis and Paola Duarte also addressed their classmates.

DeSantis joked that she promised herself she would not mention Harry Potter in her graduation speech, but then went on to say that the literary figure "provides a good role model for all of us because he continuously grows, while managing to possess everlasting, admirable qualities."

She said Potter exudes confidence and courage, but also never passes up an opportunity to cherish his friends and family. DeSantis said embracing those qualities will help her classmates achieve their goals as they move forward in their lives.

Duarte spoke about the close-knit ties of the community and her class. She also offered encouragement.

"Entering this new chapter in our lives we must remember to let go of fear at the doors of wherever we're headed," Duarte said. "When we break down fear, it is nothing but a mess of guesses and worries our brains have concocted themselves. We shouldn't let this take away from the joy of a new experience."